The Ethics of Reproductive Technology

Description

This timely anthology helps students examine the normative and conceptual issues raised by recent innovations in human reproduction, including in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, and surrogate motherhood. Broad-based and interdisciplinary, it gathers together essays of remarkable depth and philosophical sophistication by legal scholars, health care professionals, scientists, and theologians as well as philosophers, paying particular attention to women's perspectives and to issues that concern women. Organized around issues rather than techniques and featuring unusually clear introductions to current ethical and legal debates, the text sets the conceptual framework for addressing issues of prudence, morality, and public policy while providing the broadest
possible context for the readings and teasing out the connections among them.

Designed for a wide range of courses and for students at many levels, the anthology provides both a firm grounding in the basics--the biology of human reproduction, the specific procedures involved in various reproductive techniques, and the psychology of infertility--and a broad range of readings that provide the depth for more advanced thinking. Other unique features are a section on professional responsibilities that will appeal to more scientifically oriented students, a detailed study of the Baby M case that raises profound questions about the legal treatment of reproduction, and an annotated reading list that guides students past today's welter of popular ephemera to many important but
lesser-known sources.

Table of Contents

Introduction I. Biological, Technological, and Psychological Background Reproduction and Reproduction-Aiding Technologies, Lawrence J. Kaplan and Carolyn M. KaplanEmotional Reactions to Infertility, Miriam D. Mazor II. Conflicting Perspectives: Issues, Positions, and Arguments Surrogate Motherhood: Not So Novel after All John A. RobertsonSurrogate Motherhood Arrangements from the Perspective of the Child, Herbert T. KrimmelFertilization of Human Eggs In Vitro: A Defense R. G. EdwardsInstruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and the Dignity of Procreation, Vatican, Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithThe Meaning of Life--In the Laboratory, Leon KassProgeny, Progress, and Primrose Paths, SamuelGorovitzIII. Why Have Children?: Meaning and Significance On the Relationship of Parents and Children, AristotleThe Mother, Simone de BeauvoirGenetic Puzzles and Stork Stories: On the Meaning and Significance of Having Children, Kenneth D. Alpern IV. Making and Selling People: Production and Commerce Market-Inalienability, Margaret RadinBegotten or Made?, Oliver O'Donovan V. Reproductive Technology and Women: Opportunity or Oppression? Surrogate Motherhood, The Challenge for Feminists, Lori B. AndrewsThe Mother Machine, Gena CoreaThe Ethics of Sex Preselection, Mary Anne Warren VI. Constitutional Rights, Law, and Public Policy Non-Coital Reproduction and Procreative Liberty, John A. RobertsonEqual
Protection for Whom?, George P. Smith III and Roberto IraoloLegal Problems of Surrogate Motherhood, Noel P. KeaneThe Overdue Death of a Feminist Chameleon: Taking a Stand on Surrogacy Arrangements, Rosemarie TongVII. Professional Responsibilities Ethical Considerations on In Vitro Fertilization, Ethics Committee of the American Fertility SocietySocial Responsibility Demands Treating All Patients in Need, Leonard J. WeberResponsible Stewardship Requires Not Cooperating with Surrogacy, Ann NealeVIII. Case Studies The Case of Baby M: Parenting through Contract When Everyone Wants the ChildParenting through Contract When No One Wants the Child Property or Persons? The Status of Embryos in In Vitro Fertilization Glossary Suggestions for Further Reading